| Retirement preparation is an important issue in the United States. An aging workforce coupled with the population's high longevity has raised considerable concern that the nation's Social Security and Medicare programs cannot survive. At the same time, incentives that have previously encouraged private employers to sponsor pension plans are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the financial pressures of global competition and a changing economy. The situation is complicated further by the nation's highly mobile workforce and migration's potential to impact retirement preparation.; The purpose of this research is to examine the extent of retirement preparation at approximately midcareer. The study is unique, because in addition to examining some of the known social, economic, and demographic characteristics that affect retirement preparation, it also tries to determine if the history of migration is an important determinant for retirement preparation at approximately midcareer.; The study found that the migration-retirement preparation relationship is extremely complex. The findings suggest that there is something about a history of migration that appears to have slightly enhanced pension plan participation and the dollars accrued in pension plans at midcareer. The study demonstrates conclusively, however, that a history of migration had a negative effect on pension plan tenure accruals at midcareer. Current residential location appeared to have little influence; however, demographic characteristics, health, and human capital assets did have an influence on retirement preparation, and that influence can be demonstrated at midcareer. |
